The Parent-Child Relationship when Parents’
Contact with their Children is Supervised

Prof Doc Thesis

Borg, Daniel 2012. The Parent-Child Relationship when Parents’
Contact with their Children is Supervised. Prof Doc Thesis University of East London School of Psychology

Authors

Borg, Daniel

Type

Prof Doc Thesis

Abstract

This study focuses on the personal experiences and perceptions of non-custodialparents’ relationship with their children where the only contact is supervised. Itexplores the subjective experience, meanings and processes that non-custodialparents construct when faced with these circumstances. The data was collectedthrough semi-structured interviews with nine supervised non-custodial parents inMalta. Using a methodological approach based on constructivist grounded theory, fourmain categories have emerged from these parents’ discourse which capture how andwhere perceptions of the non-custodial parent have changed. These relate to externalinfluences, on being a parent, the parent and child relationship and concerns aboutfuture relating. The key issues that emerge show that supervised parents are verysensitive to external influences around them. These are often embodied in thepresence of the supervisor who thus becomes part of a triadic relationship, with trustbeing a key determinant of how this relationship develops. Indirectly, supervisedparents provide a profound definition of what being a parent is all about for them byalso describing those factors which they consider important for a relationship withtheir child to develop. From this explorative study, a number of potential areas forrelated research emerge. Finally, and at a practical level, the study also serves tohighlight those areas where improvement in supervision services is recommended fora better relationship between the parent and the child to be fostered.